Tip: Getting back to where you left off in iTunes

Alright, final post: If you by chance you do need to do the older M4A to M4B conversion, the "Selected Tracks Bookmarkable" script I mentioned earlier won't work... it only activates the "Remember Playback Position" option. For M4A to M4B conversion of AAC encoded files use this script: http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=makebookmarkable That's the one to use if you are running a 3rd Generation or older iPod (or any iPod that doesn't sync over the "Remember Playback Position" option).

Oops... I realized that I still wasn't terribly clear in responding to Andy's question: No, there's isn't a way to have bookmarkable MP3 files on a 3rd Generation iPod (or earlier). Convert the file to AAC, then do an m4a to m4b conversion. It's a pain if you have lots of content to make bookmarkable, but at least there is a solution. For transient items (like podcasts) I just tend to jot down the time I stopped on a piece of paper or on my PDA, and then scrub back to the play position when I resume later.

In response to Andy's posting: the "Remember Playback Position" feature does not sync over to 3rd Generation (or earlier) iPods. Apple simply hasn't provided the software update to do it (nor have they included the Podcast-specific features for those iPods... making me quite envious of my wife's iPod mini). For those of us still carrying around those older iPods, we're stuck with m4a to m4b conversion of AAC files to make them bookmarkable. It might be less convenient, but I still get "gee, that's cool!" comments about the backlit control buttons on my 3G iPod! :-)

iTunes always bookmarks all added movies which IMHO is annoying for short clips. Thought, it disables this property once you change type to Video Clip but doesn't get enabled on multiple selections so you need to surf to Doug's amazing site in order to get a proper script. How strange... in the meanwhile I'm considering donating to him because of all the amazing work he has done.

It works for videos in iTunes as well. A nice feature for 5G iPods, since I often start to watch a movie on the subway to university but don't finish it. At uni I usually listen to music, but then on the ride back home I can continue watching the movie without scrolling to where I stopped.

Hey thanks for the mention and sharing this tip.

When I experimented with this, then synced the files to my 3G iPod, as I recall it worked well for AAC, but not MP3 files. Anyone found a way to make bookmarkable MP3 files?

If you ever want to do anything beyond the default work, the first place you have to head is Doug's Applescripts for iTunes -> http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/ Once there, you find his "Selected Tracks Bookmarkable" script. For those who've been to the site before, they know this script as one that would create bookmarkable files by changing .m4a files to .m4b files (hence it would only work with AAC encoded files). However, in September, 2005 Doug updated the script so that it activated the "Remember Playback Position" switch instead... exactly the feature you're looking for here. The "Make Bookmarkable" script can be found here: http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=selectedtracksbookmarkable If you ever wish to undo the the settings, you'll need the "Make UN-Bookmarkable" script found here (which reverts those using the "Remember Playback Position" option or the m4a to m4b conversion): http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=makeunbookmarkable

Nope, the option doesn't come up when you do it like that. Have to say it's annoying, as I had to do about 150 manually, when it really should be something that can be done quickly and easily.

what if you select all tracks and ctrl+i and check that box?